Toy firearm and game therefor



July 12, 1960 a. J. BROWN TOY FIREARM AND GAME THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1959 .E mww M V017 m n:

M 5 MA A Wm zwm A W E B July 12, 1960 B. .1. BROWN TOY FIREARM AND GAME THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1959 INVENTOR BEE/VA e0 JA ex 550w United States Patent TOY FIREARM AND GAME THEREFOR Bernard Jack Brown, 1307 Russell Road, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Filed May 15, 1959, Ser. No. 813,421

12 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) This invention relates to a toy firearm and a game therefor. More particularly, the invention relates to a toy pistol having a timing device to measure the reaction time in drawing and shooting and a game which may be played with the pistol to measure the reaction time in combination with shooting accuracy.

The high popularity of TV western dramas has led, in part, to a desire on the part of young boys to emulate the characteristics of the western hero. One of the dominating characteristics of the western hero is his ability to out-draw and out-shoot his adversary. There has consequently been a desire among the young fans of western sagas for toy firearms to simulate the draw and shoot situation.

Devices heretofore provided have been either too complicated and expensive for the average youthful consumer or the devices have been unable to measure the reaction time to simulate the actual situation. toys have been proposed which would measure the time period between withdrawal from a holster and squeezing the trigger. However, in the western drama situation, the hero draws his pistol upon a given signal, such as at the end of a count or upon his adversary reaching for his weapon. Therefore, in order to evaluate the draw and shoot skill, a signal must be given and the elapsed time between the signal and firing measured. A second important aspect of the draw and shoot skill is the accuracy with which the player can shoot after he has drawn, since obviously the entire process is futile if the player does not hit the target.

According to the present invention, a toy firearm is provided which will measure both the reaction time and the accuracy of firing.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a toy firearm having a pistol body in which is provided a timing mechanism to measure the reaction time involved in drawing and shooting a firearm in response to a signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy firearm which will emit an audible signal to warn the player that it is time to draw.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy pistol which will measure the elapsed time between the emission of an audible signal and the squeezing of the trigger.

Another object of the invention is to provide a timeindicating disk visible from the outside of the pistol to directly indicate the time taken in drawing and shooting.

An andditional object of the invention is to provide a projectile which will be fired upon squeezing of the I trigger but which is safe and will not injure anyone struck thereby.

A further object is to provide a target and scoring system correlated with the draw and shoot time to provide a game in which the accuracy of the shot and the time of the draw each have relative importance. 7. 1

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference For example,

being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view in section of a pistol constructed according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the timer mechanism .of Fig. 1 taken substantially along the line of 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the timer mechanism taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows to show the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the pistol shown in Fig. 1, showing the opposite side thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view of the time-indicating disk utilized in conjunction with the timer mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a view of a target utilized in conjunction with the firearm of Fig. 1 to play a game.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the trigger means for the pistol shown in Fig. 1.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, the toy firearm of the present invention is embodied in a toy pistol comprising a pistol body 10 having a hollow interior 12 in which is provided a timer mechanism 14. A cockable hammer 16 is provided for releasably engaging and setting the timer mecha-' nism. The hammer 16 is constantly urged to is uncocked position by resilient means comprising a spring 18. The timer mechanism is provided with release means to release the hammer 16 from engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting, after which the hammer 16 is urged to its uncooked position whereupon it is effective to strike the pistol body and emit an audible sound. Manually operable trigger means are also provided which are operative in response to manual actuation'to stop the timer mechanism. Recorder means are provided to indicate the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

Referring to Fig. 1, it may be seen that the pistol body 10 comprises the usual handle 20, trigger guard 22, hollow barrel 24 and main body section 26.

Mounted within the hollow interior 12 of the main body is the timer mechanism 14. The timer mechanism is driven by a mainspring 28 which is secured to the hub 30 of a partially toothed gear 32. The gear 32 is mounted on a shaft 34 secured between spaced plates 36, 38. The plates 36, 38 are secured to the inner side walls of the pistol body to thereby mount the entire timer mechanism. The mainspring 28 is a spring member wound completely around the hub 30 with the two ends abutting against pins 40, 42 secured, respectively, to the gear 32 and the pistol body 10. The gear 32 meshes with a pinion gear 44 fixedly secured to a shaft 46. The untoothed portion 35 of the gear 32' acts as a stop to engage the pinion 44 and prevent rotation of the gear 32 and pinion 44 past this point. The purpose of this arrangement is to provide a fixed angular relationship between the gear 32 and a time-indicating disk or dial 48 which is also secured to the shaft 46.

As may be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the disk 48 is divided into six segments each of which isv colored. As shown, the colors are red, blue, yellow, white, grey and black." Each of the segments represents a half second, the seccate the degree of rotation of the disk 48 from the zero point to the point where the timer mechanism is stopped, either by the untoothed portion 35 of the gear 32 or by a stop mechanism provided in the trigger means as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Mounted on the same shaft with the disk 48 is a floating gear 54. By floating is meant that the gear 54 is free to rotate on the shaft 46. The gear 54 is provided with a pawl arrangement to provide a couple with the pinion 44 for unitary rotation in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l and to permit the gear 54 to remain stationary when the shaft and pinion 44 rotate in the counterclockwise direction. As may be best seen in Fig. 3 (which appears upside down from the Fig. 1 viewdue to the section being taken from Fig. 2), the pawl 56 is pivotally mounted on the gear 54. Spring 58 constantly urges the pawl into engagement with the pinion 44. However, due to the angular relationship of the pawl to the pinion 44, the teeth of the pinion will only engage the pawl when the pinion is rotated counterclockwise as viewed inv Fig. 3. As a consequence of this arrangement, the; gear 54 Will rotate when the timer mechanism is in operation and will remain stationary when the timer mechanism is being wound up. The purpose of this ar rangernent is to permit the use of an escapement mechanism which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The gear 54 meshes with a pinion 60 which is fixed to a shaft 62. Also fixed to the shaft 62 is an escapement wheel 64. The escapement wheel 64 having ratchet teeth 65 is operatively connected to a pivotal pallet wheel 66 having a pair of outwardly projecting pins 68, 70 which act as pallets to control the motion of the escapement 64 wheel and consequently of the entire train of gears. The escapement wheel 64 and pallet. wheel 66 together 'form a conventional vibratory escapement mechanism. In operation, the mainspring 28 tends to drive the pinion 44 and consequently the disk 48. 'The rate of rotation of these elements is controlled by the escapement mechanism in which a tooth 65 is allowed to escape at regular intervals from the pallets 68, 70 as a result of oscillation of the pallet wheel 66.

Thetimer mechanism is set by a cockable hammer 16. The hammer 16 is pivotally mounted at 72 and comprises outwardly projecting portion 74 having a thumb grip lever 76. The portion 74 is normally in abutment with downturned portion 78 of the pistol body. The hammer is provided with an arm 80 which extends into the hollow interior 12. A coil spring 18 extends between the .arm 80 and a pin 84 secured to the pistol handle 20. Cocking of the hammer pivots the arm 80 upwardly into engagement with the gear 32. The gear 32 is provided with detent means, shown as a notch 86, for releasable engagement with the arm 80. The arm will consequently engagethe gear 32 to wind the main spring 28 and set the timer mechanism. When the hammer is released, the spring 18 will urge it back to its uncocked position. However, the hammer is not free to immediately return due to engagement with the surface 88 of the notch 86. The hammer will be released when the gear 32 has rotated counterclockwise an angular distance suflicient to 'move the engaging surface 88 to a position at approximately right angles to the arm 80. Upon release, the hammer willbe pivoted to its uncooked position by the spring 18. When the hammer reaches its uncooked position, it will strike the downturned portion 78 and emit an audible sound, which is the signal to draw and shoot. The disk 48 is positioned to read zero when the hammer strikes the pistol body. The time delay thus provided, which is' preferably about two seconds, permits the pistol to be set and placed in a holster for a short time before the signal is given to draw. This permits measurement of the reflex time from the moment the signal to draw is given until the trigger is actually squeezed.

Attention is directed to the fact that while the detent means for the gear 32 is illustrated as a notch 86, other arrangements may be provided, for example, a pair of spaced pins on the gear would serve the same purpose.

Trigger means are also provided to cooperate with operation of the timer mechanism. A trigger 90- is pivotally mounted at 92 and is provided with lateral projections 94, 96 to alternately abut against the surfaces 93, to define the extent of-pivotal movement. The trigger 90 has a projection 98 which extends into the interior 12 of the pistol housing. A link 100 is pivotally mounted at the outer end of the projection 98. The link 100 is pivotally connected at its opposite end with a second link 102 which is pivotally mounted at 104 to the pistol body. The link 100 is provided with a stop arm 106 which extends upwardly to a point in substantial alignment with the pallet 70 of the pallet wheel 66. Squeezing of the trigger 90 carries the link 100 forward to a point where the stop arm 106 engages the pallet 70 to stop vibration of the escapement mechanism and thus stop rotation of the time indicating disk. At this point, the draw and shoot operation is completed and the elapsed time may be observed through the aperture 50. A spring 108 is provided to drive the links 100, 102 and trigger 90 to their initial positions upon release of the trigger.

Squeezing of the trigger 90 also operates to release a spring loaded projectile 110 positioned in the hollow barrel 24. The projectile 110 comprises a shaft 112 having a suction cup 114 at its forward end and a notch 116 at its rearward end. A circular disk 118 is provided intermediate the ends of the shaft 112 to guide the pro on reduced portion 122 of guide member 124 which is;

secured at the inner end of the barrel. The spring may be held in place by a pin 126, however, extension of the spring reduces the diameter thereof sufiiciently to provide frictional engagement with the reduced portion- 122 with the consequence that the pin 126 may be dispensed with if desired.

The guide 124 is provided with a central passageway 128 through which the rearward end of the shaft 112' projects. A slot 130 is provided in the guide 124 to receive the upper end of the trigger link 102. The upper end of the link 102 normally engages the notch116 to hold the projectile in place. The upper end of the link 102 may be pointed to permit firm engagement- In oper-. ation, when. the trigger 90 is squeezed, the link 102 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 to disengage the notch 116 and permit the projectile to be fired.

A second embodiment of the trigger means is illus trated in Fig. 7. In the Fig. 7 embodiment the trigger may be released after squeezing without releasing the escapement mechanism. Release of the escapement mechanism would, of course, allow the time-indicating disk 48 to continue to rotate thus destroying the record of the draw-and-shoot time.

In the Fig. 7 embodiment, the trigger 90 is provided with an arm 97 which extends angularly upward to a point adjacent the pivotal link 1 02. Thetrigger 90 is urged to its normal position as shown by a spring 91. A coil spring 99 is secured between the pistol body 10 and the lower end of the link 102 to constantly urge the link 102 to its Fig. 7 position. The upper end of the link 102 engages the notch 116 of the plunger 11!) and co- 103 is fixed to the underside of a block 105 fixedly secured to the body 10. I I

In operation, squeezing oi. the trigger 90 pivots the arm 97 into engagement with the link 102. The link 102 is then pivoted to a point where the plunger 110 is released. Release of the plunger 110 permits the spring 103 to move downwardly into engagement with the pallet 68 (as shown in dotted lines) and thus interfere with the escapement mechanism and stops rotation of the time-indicating disk 48. The disk 48 cannot continue rotation until the plunger 110 is re-inserted in the barrel.

As shown in Fig. 6, a target 134 may be provided for the projectile 110. When the projectile hits the target 134, the suction cup 114 acts to secure the projectile thereto. As shown, the target is provided with concentric rings 136, '138, 140 of different colors, shown as red, white, and blue, respectively. Scoring on the target is in the usual manner, the center circle 136 representing the greatest degree of shooting accuracy and consequently resulting in the highest score, with the outer circles being assigned decreasing values. A scoring system is provided for use with the target to correlate accuracy with quickness. For example, if the projectile hits the center red circle, the score may be as follows:

Points Time, Dial Color Seconds 130 110 m l 7 m 2 to 2%. Grey. an 2%) to 3.--. Black If the projectile hits the white ring 138 the scoring is as follows:

Points Time, Dial 0610i Seconds 120 0 to Red. 100 Blue. 80. Yellow 60. 5 2- White 40. 2 to 2%.-.. Grey.

Black I If the projectile hits the outer ring 140 the scoring is as follows:

- Dial Color Points Time,

Seconds 110 Oto Red. 9 2 to 1... Blue. 70 l to 1V- Yellow.

1% to 2.... White. an 2 to 2 Grey. 10 2 6 to 3.-.. Black.

',Th6 game thus devised is an interesting game for young people and at the same time develops the coordination, timing and accuracy common to and necessary for a great many athletic skills. The game is harmless because the projectile having a rubber suction cup will not injure anyone who is hit therewith.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A toy firearm comprising a firearm body; a timer structure in the firearm body; manually operable means actress" ger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between energization of the signal means and operation of the trigger means.

3. A toy pistol comprising a pistol body; a timermechanism in the pistol body; a cock-able hammer for releasably engaging and setting the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncooked position; release means in the timer mechanism to release the hammer from engagement a predetermined time subse quent to timer setting; said hammer being effective upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

4. A toy pistol comprising a pistol body; a springdriven timer mechanism in the pistol body; a cockable hammer for releasably engaging and setting the timer mechanism; resilient means uring the hammer to its uncocked position; release means in the timer mechanism to release the hammer from engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being eflective upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible sound; manually operable trigger means operative in'response to manual actuation tostop the timer mechanism;and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means. 1

5. A toy pistol comprising a pistol body; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a mainspring to drive the timer mechanism; means including a detent to wind the main spring; a cockable hammer having an arm for releasably engaging said detent to wind the mainspring and set the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; said detent being effective to release the hammer frorn engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being ettective.

upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism;

- and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission'of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

6. Av toy pistol comprising a pistol body; a timer mechdetent. means on the wheel; a cockable hammer having an arm for releasably engaging said detent means to wind the mainspring and set the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncooked position; said detent means being effective to release the hammer from engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being efiective upon'release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

7. A toy pistol comprisinga pistol body; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a mainspring to drive the timer to said normal position; said trigger means being operative' 'in responseto manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the" trigger means.

8. A toy' pistol comprising a pistol body; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; said timer mechanism comprising a mainspring; a gear to wind the mainspring and" drive a time-indicating disk; and an escapeme'nt mechanism to control the rate of rotation of said time-indicating disk; detent means o'n said gear; a cockable hammer having an arm for releasably' engaging said detent means to wind the mainspring and set the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; said detent means being efiective to release the hammer fromv engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being eiiective upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal;

manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; said timeindicating disk having a scale visible from the exterior of the pistol to indicate the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

9. A toy pistol comprising a pistol body having a hollow barrel; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a cockable hammer for releasably engaging and setting the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; release means in the timer mechanism to release the hammer from engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being effective upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; a spring-loaded projectile receivable in the pistol barrel; linkage interposed between the trigger means and the projectile to normally hold the projectile within the barrel; said linkage being effective upon trigger operation to release the projectile; and recorder means audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

10. A toy pistol comprising a pistol body having a hollow barrel; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a

mainspring to drive the timer mechanism; a wheel towind said mainspring; detent means on the wheel; a cockable hammer having an arm for releasably engaging said detent means to wind the mainspring and set the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; said detent means being eifective to release the hammer from engagement apredetermined and the projectile to normally hold the projectile within;

the barrel; said linkage being effective upon trigger operation to release the projectile; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means.

11. The combination comprising a target having scoringindicia marked thereon and a toy pistol; said toy pistol comprising a pistol body having a hollowb'ar'rel; a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a cockable hammer for rel'easably engaging and setting the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; release means in the timer mechanism to release the hammer from engagement a predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being effective upon release to strike the pistol body and .emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; a spring-loaded projectile receivable in the pistol barrel; linkage interposed between the trigger means and the projectile to normally hold the projectile within thebarrel; said linkage being effective upon trigger operation to release the projectile; and recorder means for indicating the elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means; said pistol adapted to be aimed at the target; the degree of aiming accuracy being measurable by the target scoring indicia; aiming accuracy being correlated with said elapsed time to indicate a total score.

12. The combination comprising a toy pistol and a target having scoring indicia marked thereon; said toy pistol comprising a pistol body having a hollow barrel;

a timer mechanism in the pistol body; a mainspring to v drive the timer mechanism; a wheel. to wind said main spring; detent means on the wheel; a cockable" hammer having an arm for releasably engaging said detent means" to wind the mainspring and set the timer mechanism; resilient means urging the hammer to its uncocked position; said detent means being effective to'release theham mer from engagement at predetermined time subsequent to timer setting; said hammer being effective upon release to strike the pistol body and emit an audible signal; manually operable trigger means operative in response to manual actuation to stop the timer mechanism; a springloaded projectile receivable in the pistol barrel; linkage interposed between the trigger means and the projectile to normally hold the projectile within the barrel; saidlinkage being ejtfective upon trigger operation to release I the projectile; and recorder means for indicating. the

elapsed time between emission of the audible signal and operation of the trigger means; said pistol adapted to be aimed at the target; the degree of aiming accuracy being measurable by the target, scoring in'dicia; aiming" accuracy .being correlatedwith said elapsed time to indicate a total Va'rney Jane 14, 1955 Tornabene JanVZO, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2344,822

Bernard Jack Brown July 12, 1960 It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 63, for andditionald read additional column 6, line 22 for "uring"; read urging Signed and sealed this 13th day of December 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARLH. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSUN Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2 944,822 July 12, 1960 Bernard Jack Brown It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters .Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 63, for fandditional'f read additional column 6, line 22 for "uring"; read urging Signed and sealed this 13th day of December 1960.

(SEAL) Attest: KARLH. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attes ting Oflicer 

